On 1 July 2025, Amendment VC286 removed clause 52.27 – Licensed Premises from the Victoria Planning Provisions thereby removing the requirement to obtain a planning permit for the sale and consumption of liquor.
While VC286 might be seen as removing red tape for new licences premises, VC286 does bring with it a suite of questions about what happens to existing permissions?
What happens next depends on the conditions and extent of the existing planning permission. There is an argument to be had that operators may not be bound by the conditions of an existing planning permit, but only if the existing planning permit was granted under clause 52.27. Equally, existing planning permits could be amended to remove any requirements solely associated with clause 52.27.
Every licenced premise should carefully review its existing planning permissions, including any endorsed plans that show red line areas and seek further advice on the possible implications arising from the removal of clause 52.27.
Council’s faced with such applications for amendment of existing planning permits need to mindful of any general amenity requirements in the Scheme when carefully considering any such applications.
If you would like to learn more about the impacts of VC286 please contact our Planning and Environment team who would be happy to provide you with further guidance or advice.
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